Service
Service is a major part of my everyday life, in and outside of my career. I strive to use my position as an academic in STEM to provide opportunities for others, especially those from underrepresented groups. Below, you will find a sampling of service and outreach programs that I have been involved with.
Sonia Kovalevsky Day
The University of Iowa Mathematics Department organizes an annual Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day for high-school aged women, their parents or guardians, and their teachers. The goal of this day is to encourage young women to pursue careers in math and science. We do this by providing female role models and educating the students about the limitless possibilities of fields involving mathematics.
I was an organizer for SK Day 2022.
Directed Reading Program
The Directed Reading Program (DRP) is a student-run initiative to pair undergraduate students with graduate student mentors to work on independent study projects in mathematics. This program seeks to involve undergraduates in the larger mathematics community, foster independent learning strategies, and develop mathematical communication skills.
I was an organizer for DRP (Fall 2021, Spring 2022)
Panorama of Geometry and Topology
The Panorama of Geometry and Topology is 2-3 hour undergraduate event at the University of Iowa. This event encourages undergraduate students to pursue careers in mathematics by exposure to geometry and topology. This includes talks by esteemed professors in mathematics, career panels, and more.
I was an organizer for Spring 2022 and Fall 2022.
AAU PhD Education Initiative
The Association of American Universities chose The University of Iowa's Graduate College to participate in the AAU Education PhD Initiative. This program focuses on creating student-centered educational environments to successfuly prepare graduate students for their future careers.
I served as a member of the team for the mathematics department. As a team, we are continuously thinking of ways to improve our graduate program and create more student-centered educational opportunities. One highlight was redesigning the seminar for first-year graduate students. We changed the curriculum to include more job training, mentoring, and research opportunities.
Math Graduate Board
The Math Graduate Board (MGB) exists to provide a forum for departmental discourse, to organize departmental events, and to generally enrich the graduate mathematics experience at the University of Iowa. It is an official university student organization established and led entirely by math graduate students.
The board sponsors several social events, including the semiannual Mathematics Picnic. We organize the Graduate and Undergraduate Student Seminar (GAUSS), publish the Iowa-Sum Times (a monthly newsletter), and provide funding to conferences.
Postions held: Chair (2021), Vice-Chair (2020), Social Co-Chair (2019)
Graduate Liaison Committee
The graduate liaison committee (GLC) exists to facilitate communication between faculty and graduate students about the math graduate program at the University of Iowa. The committe aims to help faculty by gathering information and feedback from graduate students on changes to the graduate program or other issues. The committee aims to help students by hearing concerns and communicating with the appropriate faculty member to address those concerns.
I helped create this committee in 2020. I served as a commitee member in 2022.
Kids Topology Club
Kids Topology Club is an event that teaches mathematics to elementary school students through hands-on activities and arts and crafts.
I served as an activity leader and organizer in Fall 2021 and Fall 2022.
StairWay5 STEM Academy
StairWay5 is STEM Academy is a coding and technology education center for students ages 8 and up. The focus of the academy is to provide year-round learning and enrichment services in robotics, coding, math and engineering.
I served as a math instructor (2020-2021) and taught a range of students from basic multiplication/division to pre-calculus.